Patent Application
20180264836
The present invention relates to a flexible membrane mechanism that is used for a valve mechanism and is used for opening and closing of a valve, a flow path member including the flexible membrane mechanism, and a liquid ejecting apparatus including the flexible membrane mechanism.
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects a liquid such as ink according to a pressure change of a pressure generating unit from a plurality of nozzles, as droplets, the liquid being supplied from a liquid storage unit such as an ink tank. In related art, in order to supply the liquid such as ink supplied from the liquid storage unit to the liquid ejecting head at a predetermined pressure, a configuration in which a pressure adjustment valve that is opened when a pressure of a flow path on the downstream side becomes a negative pressure in the middle of the flow path is provided, has been proposed (for example, refer to JP-A-2012-111044).
In addition, in JP-A-2012-111044, a configuration in which a flexible membrane mechanism that opens a valve by pressing the valve from the outside regardless of the pressure of the flow path on the downstream side is provided, is disclosed.
Further, a configuration in which a fluid such as air is pressurized and supplied and thus a pressure adjustment valve is pressed and opened by the pressurized fluid, is disclosed (for example, refer to JP-A-2015-189201).
However, in a case where the valve is pressed from the outside, when the entire surface of a pressure receiving portion is pressed, a reaction force which is received from the pressure receiving portion is increased. As a result, it is necessary to increase a pressure for pressing the pressure receiving portion. For this reason, as a pressure feed unit such as a pump for pressurizing the liquid to press the pressure receiving portion, a device with a high pressurizing capability or a large size is required, and this results in an increase in size and cost.
Such a problem is not limited to the flexible membrane mechanism used for a flow path member as exemplified by the liquid ejecting apparatus, and is also present in a flexible membrane mechanism used for another device including a valve mechanism.
An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a flexible membrane mechanism, a flow path member, and a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of pressing and operating a valve of a valve mechanism with a relatively low pressure.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a flexible membrane mechanism that is used in a valve mechanism, the flexible membrane mechanism including: a lid member; a flexible membrane that forms a space between the lid member and the flexible membrane; and a fluid flow path that communicates with the space, in which the flexible membrane is deformed such that a valve of the valve mechanism is opened and closed and includes a protrusion portion that becomes a projection toward the lid member and becomes a recess toward the opposite side of the projection.
Accordingly, the flexible membrane including the protrusion portion is provided, and thus an area by which the flexible membrane receives a pressure from the fluid flow path is increased. Therefore, the flexible membrane can be operated by a relatively low pressure. In particular, the protrusion portion, which is the recess and the projection of the flexible membrane, can be deformed so as to be widened, and thus the flexible membrane can be deformed by a relatively low pressure, compared to a case where the flexible membrane is deformed and elongated by making a thickness of the flexible membrane thin.
In the flexible membrane mechanism, preferably, the flexible membrane includes a fixed portion that is fixed outside the space and a flexible portion that is extended from the fixed portion into the space, and a length of the flexible portion from a root of the flexible portion toward the fixed portion to a contact position between the flexible portion and the valve mechanism is longer than the shortest distance between the root of the flexible portion of the flexible membrane and the valve. Accordingly, when the protrusion portion of the flexible membrane is deformed so as to be widened, the flexible membrane can be reliably brought into contact with the valve, and thus the valve can be reliably operated by the flexible membrane. In addition, the flexible membrane does not need to be deformed so as to be elongated, and thus the flexible membrane can be operated at a relatively low pressure.
In addition, preferably, the flexible membrane is interposed and fixed between the lid member and a member provided on the lid member toward the flexible membrane, and opposing inner wall surfaces of the recess of the flexible membrane are disposed with a distance therebetween without being in contact with each other. Accordingly, a hindrance of the deformation of the flexible membrane can be prevented, and thus the flexible membrane can be operated at a relatively low pressure.
In addition, preferably, the flexible membrane includes a fixed portion that is disposed outside the space and is interposed and fixed between the lid member and a member provided on the lid member toward the flexible membrane, and a flexible portion that is extended from the fixed portion into the space, and, in a direction in which the fixed portion of the flexible membrane is interposed, the center of an end portion of the flexible portion toward the fixed portion is positioned at a position closer to the valve than the center of an end portion of the fixed portion toward the flexible portion is. Accordingly, the flexible membrane can be prevented from being deformed so as to protrude toward the lid member, and thus it is possible to prevent an increase in distance between the flexible membrane and the valve.
In addition, preferably, the valve mechanism includes a chamber which communicates with the valve and a film which defines at least a part of the chamber and is deformed such that the valve is opened or closed by deformation of the film, and the flexible membrane mechanism further includes a spacer for maintaining a constant distance between the film and the flexible membrane. Accordingly, a constant distance is maintained between the film and the flexible membrane by the spacer. Thus, in a state where the flexible membrane is not operated, a hindrance of the deformation of the film by the flexible membrane can be prevented.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a flow path member including: the flexible membrane mechanism according to the aspect; and a valve mechanism.
Accordingly, it is possible to realize a flow path member capable of pressing and operating the valve of the valve mechanism with a relatively low pressure.
According to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including: the flexible membrane mechanism according to the aspect; and a liquid ejecting head that ejects a liquid.
Accordingly, it is possible to realize a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of pressing and operating the valve of the valve mechanism with a relatively low pressure.
The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.
Hereinafter, the invention will be described in detail based on embodiments.
A liquid container 14 that stores the ink is fixed to the liquid ejecting apparatus 100. As the liquid container 14, for example, a cartridge that can be detachably attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus 100, a bag-shaped ink pack that is formed by a flexible film, an ink tank that can supplement ink, or the like is used. Although not specifically illustrated, a plurality of kinds of ink with different colors and different types are stored in the liquid container 14.
In addition, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 includes a control unit 20 as a controller, a transport mechanism 22, and a liquid ejecting head 24.
Although not specifically illustrated, the control unit 20 is configured to include, for example, a control device such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and a memory device such as a semiconductor memory, and overall controls each element of the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 by executing a program stored in the memory device by the control device.
The transport mechanism 22 is controlled by the control unit 20 so as to transport the medium 12 in a Y direction, and includes, for example, a transport roller. The transport mechanism for transporting the medium 12 is not limited to the transport roller, and may transport the medium 12 by a belt or a drum.
A movement mechanism 26 is controlled by the control unit 20 so as to reciprocate the liquid ejecting head 24 in an X direction. The X direction in which the liquid ejecting head 24 is reciprocated by the movement mechanism 26 is a direction intersecting with the Y direction in which the medium 12 is transported. In addition, in the present embodiment, a direction intersecting with both of the X direction and the Y direction is referred to as a Z direction. In the present embodiment, although the respective directions (X, Y, and Z directions) are in an orthogonal relationship, an arrangement relationship of the respective components is not necessarily limited to the orthogonal relationship.
Specifically, the movement mechanism 26 according to the present embodiment includes a transport body 262 and a transport belt 264. The transport body 262 is a substantially box-shaped structure, so-called a carriage, that supports the liquid ejecting head 24, and is fixed to the transport belt 264. The transport belt 264 is an endless belt that is placed along the X direction. The transport belt 264 is rotated under the control of the control unit 20, and thus the liquid ejecting head 24 is reciprocated along the X-direction together with the transport body 262. The liquid container 14 may be mounted to the transport body 262 together with the liquid ejecting head 24.
The liquid ejecting head 24 ejects the ink supplied from the liquid container 14 onto the medium 12, as droplets, under the control of the control unit 20. The ejection of the ink droplets from the liquid ejecting head 24 is performed toward the positive Z direction. When the medium 12 is transported in the Y direction by the transport mechanism 22 and the liquid ejecting head 24 is transported in the X direction by the movement mechanism 26, the liquid ejecting head 24 ejects the ink droplets onto the medium 12, and thus a desired image is formed on the medium 12.
Hereinafter, the liquid ejecting head 24 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to
As illustrated in
Each of the plurality of assemblies 244 includes a connection unit 32, a second support body 34, a distribution flow path 36, a plurality of liquid ejecting modules (in the present embodiment, six liquid ejecting modules) 38. The number of the assemblies 244 that constitute the liquid ejecting head 24 and the number of the liquid ejecting modules 38 that constitute the assembly 244 are not limited to the numbers described above.
The plurality of liquid ejecting modules 38 are disposed side by side in the Y direction and in two rows in the X direction at the second support body 34 that is positioned at a position in the positive Z direction of the connection unit 32. The distribution flow path 36 is disposed at sides of the plurality of liquid ejecting modules 38 in the X direction. The distribution flow path 36 is a structure in which a flow path for distributing the ink supplied from the liquid container 14 to each of the plurality of liquid ejecting modules 38 is formed. The distribution flow path 36 is configured to be elongated in the Y-direction across the plurality of liquid ejecting modules 38.
The liquid ejecting module 38 includes a liquid ejecting unit 40 and a coupling unit 50. The liquid ejecting unit 40 ejects the ink onto the medium 12, as the ink droplets, the ink being supplied from the liquid container 14 via the distribution flow path 36.
The liquid ejecting unit 40 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
Hereinafter, the liquid ejecting portion 44 will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
The flow path substrate 481, the pressure chamber substrate 482, and the nozzle plate 487 are formed with, for example, a flat plate member of silicon, and the housing portion 485 is formed, for example, by injection molding of a resin material. The plurality of nozzles N are formed in the nozzle plate 487. A front surface of the nozzle plate 487 that is opposite to the flow path substrate 481 is an ejection surface.
In the flow path substrate 481, an opening portion 481A, a branch flow path 481B as a throttle flow path, and a communication flow path 481C are formed. The branch flow path 481B and the communication flow path 481C are through-holes that are formed for each of the nozzles N, and the opening portion 481A is an opening that is continuously formed across the plurality of nozzles N. The buffer plate 488 is a compliance substrate made of a flat plate member that is provided on a front surface of the flow path substrate 481 opposite to the pressure chamber substrate 482 and closes the opening portion 481A. The buffer plate 488 is flexibly deformed, and thus a pressure change in the opening portion 481A is absorbed by the deformation of the buffer plate 488.
In the housing portion 485, a manifold SR as a common liquid chamber that communicates with the opening portion 481A of the flow path substrate 481 is formed. The manifold SR is a space for storing the ink supplied to the plurality of nozzles N, and is continuously provided across the plurality of nozzles N. In addition, an inflow port Rin into which the ink supplied from the upstream side flows is formed in the manifold SR.
An opening portion 482A is formed in the pressure chamber substrate 482 for each of the nozzles N. The vibration plate 483 is a flat plate member which is elastically deformable and is provided on a front surface of the pressure chamber substrate 482 that is opposite to the flow path substrate 481. A space that is interposed between the vibration plate 483 and the flow path substrate 481 at the inside of the opening portion 482A of the pressure chamber substrate 482 functions as a pressure chamber SC (cavity) in which the ink supplied from the manifold SR via the branch flow path 481B is filled. Each pressure chamber SC communicates with the nozzle N via the communication flow path 481C of the flow path substrate 481.
The piezoelectric actuator 484 is formed on a front surface of the vibration plate 483 that is opposite to the pressure chamber substrate 482 for each of the nozzles N. Each piezoelectric actuator 484 is a driving element in which a piezoelectric body is interposed between electrodes opposite to each other. The piezoelectric actuator 484 is deformed based on a driving signal, and thus the vibration plate 483 is vibrated. Therefore, a pressure of the ink in the pressure chamber SC is changed, and thus the ink in the pressure chamber SC is ejected from the nozzle N. In addition, the protection substrate 486 protects a plurality of piezoelectric actuators 484.
Hereinafter, the flow path unit 41 of the liquid ejecting unit 40 will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
The valve mechanism 70 includes a valve mechanism housing 71, an opening/closing valve B[1], and a film 72. The space R1 connected to a liquid pressure feed mechanism 16 is provided in the valve mechanism housing 71. The liquid pressure feed mechanism 16 is a mechanism that supplies, that is, pressure-feeds the ink stored in the liquid container 14 to the liquid ejecting unit 40 in a pressurized state. In addition, the space R2 connected to the degassing flow path unit 42 is provided in the valve mechanism housing 71. A film 72 as a movable film is provided on the valve mechanism housing 71 toward the flexible membrane mechanism 80, that is, in the negative Z direction, and a part of a wall surface of the space R2 is configured with the film 72. In addition, the opening/closing valve B[1] is provided between the space R1 and the space R2.
The opening/closing valve B[1] includes a valve seat 721, a valve body 722, a pressure receiving plate 723, and a spring 724. The valve seat 721 is a part of the valve mechanism housing 71, and is a flat plate-shaped portion that partitions the space R1 and the space R2. In the valve seat 721, a communication hole HA through which the space R1 and the space R2 communicate with each other is formed. The pressure receiving plate 723 is a substantially circular-shaped flat plate member which is provided on a surface of the film 72 that faces the valve seat 721. That is, the pressure receiving plate 723 is provided on the film 72. In this way, the pressure receiving plate 723 is provided on the film 72, and thus it is possible to prevent a damage and a deformation of the film 72, compared to a case where the valve body 722 is brought into direct contact with the film 72. The pressure receiving plate 723 may be bonded to the film 72, or may not be bonded to the film 72. In other words, a state where the pressure receiving plate 723 is provided on the film 72 includes a state where the pressure receiving plate 723 is bonded to the film 72, and a state where the pressure receiving plate 723 is disposed so as to be brought into contact with the film 72 without being bonded to the film 72. In a case where the pressure receiving plate 723 is bonded to the film 72, a pressure that a flexible membrane 83 to be described in detail receives from the ink via the film 72 depends on an area of the pressure receiving plate 723. In a case where the pressure receiving plate 723 is not bonded to the film 72, a pressure that a front end of the flexible membrane 83 receives from the ink via the film 72 depends on an area of the front end of the flexible membrane 83. In the present embodiment, the pressure receiving plate 723 is not bonded to the film 72.
The valve body 722 includes a base portion 725, a valve shaft 726, and a sealing portion 727. The valve shaft 726 projects vertically from a front surface of the base portion 725, and the ring-shaped sealing portion 727 that surrounds the valve shaft 726 in plan view is provided on the front surface of the base portion 725. The valve body 722 is disposed in the space R1 in a state where the valve shaft 726 is inserted into the communication hole HA, and is energized toward the valve seat 721, that is, toward the negative Z direction, by the spring 724. A gap is formed between an outer peripheral surface of the valve shaft 726 and an inner peripheral surface of the communication hole HA.
The flexible membrane mechanism 80 includes a lid member 81, a spacer 82, and a flexible membrane 83. A recess portion 811 which is opened toward the valve mechanism 70, that is, in the positive Z direction, is provided in the lid member 81, an opening of the recess portion 811 is covered by the flexible membrane 83, and thus the space R3 is formed in the lid member 81. In addition, the spacer 82 is provided on the lid member 81 toward the film 72. That is, the spacer 82 is provided between the film 72 of the valve mechanism 70 and the lid member 81. A penetration portion 821 which penetrates the spacer 82 in the Z direction is provided in the spacer 82 at a position overlapping with the space R3 in the Z-direction, and the control chamber RC is formed inside the penetration portion 821. That is, the flexible membrane 83 is interposed between the control chamber RC and the space R3. In addition, a part of a wall surface of the control chamber RC is configured with the film 72 and the flexible membrane 83. The space R3 is connected to a degassing path 75 as a fluid flow path, which is connected to a pressure adjustment mechanism 18 as a fluid supply source. In the present embodiment, the degassing path 75 is connected to an opening portion 75a which is opened to a wall of the space R3 that faces the flexible membrane 83 in the Z-direction.
The flexible membrane 83 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer. In the present embodiment, when the space R3 is pressurized by a pressurization operation of the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 via the degassing path 75, the flexible membrane 83 is elastically deformed so as to protrude in a projection shape toward the inside of the control chamber RC, that is, toward the film 72.
As illustrated in
In the present embodiment, the flexible portion 85 includes a contact portion 851, a first wall portion 852, a first connection portion 853, a second wall portion 854, and a second connection portion 855. The contact portion 851, the first wall portion 852, the first connection portion 853, the second wall portion 854, and the second connection portion 855 that constitute the flexible portion 85 have substantially the same thickness, and the fixed portion 84 is thicker than the flexible portion 85.
In the present embodiment, the contact portion 851 is a portion that contacts with the opening/closing valve B[1] when the flexible membrane 83 is elastically deformed, and is provided at a position facing the pressure receiving plate 723 in the Z direction, that is, at a position overlapping with the pressure receiving plate 723 when viewed from the Z direction in plan view. In the present embodiment, the center of the pressure receiving plate 723 is positioned at the center of the control chamber RC when viewed from the Z direction in plan view, and thus the contact portion 851 is disposed at a position corresponding to the center of the control chamber RC. In the present embodiment, the contact portion 851 extends along the X direction and the Y direction. In addition, the contact portion 851 has an area smaller than the area of the pressure receiving plate 723. The fact that the contact portion 851 has an area smaller than the area of the pressure receiving plate means that the contact portion 851 has a width narrower than the width of the pressure receiving plate 723 in both directions of the X direction and the Y direction. In this way, the contact portion 851 has an area smaller than the area of the pressure receiving plate 723, and thus, even in a case where the position of the contact portion 851 is displaced, it is possible to reliably press the pressure receiving plate 723 by the contact portion 851.
The first wall portion 852 is provided in a continuous annular shape around the contact portion 851. The first wall portion 852 is erectly provided on the opposite side of the film 72 to be closer to the lid member 81 than the contact portion 851 is. Specifically, one end of the first wall portion 852 is connected to the contact portion 851, and the other end of the first wall portion 852 is extended along the Z direction so as to be positioned at a position opposite to the film 72 and closer to the lid member 81 than the contact portion 851 is.
The first connection portion 853 is provided in a continuous annular shape around the first wall portion 852. One end of the first connection portion 853 is connected to the other end of the first wall portion 852 that is positioned toward the lid member 81, and the other end of the first connection portion 853 is extended along the X direction and the Y direction so as to be positioned outside the first wall portion 852.
The second wall portion 854 is provided in a continuous annular shape around the first connection portion 853. The second wall portion 854 is erectly provided to be closer to the film 72 than the first connection portion 853 is. Specifically, one end of the second wall portion 854 is connected to the first connection portion 853, and the other end of the second wall portion 854 is extended along the Z direction so as to be positioned at a position closer to the film 72 than the first connection portion 853 is and closer to the lid member 81 than the contact portion 851 is.
The second connection portion 855 is provided in a continuous annular shape around the second wall portion 854. One end of the second connection portion 855 is connected to the other end of the second wall portion 854, and the other end of the second connection portion 855 is extended along the X direction as a first direction and the Y direction as a second direction so as to be positioned outside the second wall portion 854. In addition, the other end of the second connection portion 855, which is opposite to one end of the second connection portion 855 connected to the second wall portion 854, is connected to the fixed portion 84. That is, the second connection portion 855 connects the fixed portion 84 and the second wall portion 854. In the flexible membrane 83, in the Z direction in which the fixed portion 84 is interposed between the lid member 81 and the spacer 82, a root of the flexible portion 85 toward the fixed portion 84, that is, the center C1 of the end portion of the second connection portion 855 toward the fixed portion 84, is provided at a position closer to the opening/closing valve B[1] than the center C2 of the end portion of the fixed portion 84 toward the flexible portion 85 is.
In this manner, a bellows is formed around the contact portion 851 by the first wall portion 852, the first connection portion 853, the second wall portion 854, and the second connection portion 855, which have the same center and have an annular shape. That is, on the flexible portion 85 according to the present embodiment, a first recess portion 861 which is opened toward the lid member 81 is provided by the contact portion 851 and the first wall portion 852 provided around the contact portion 851. In addition, around the first recess portion 861, a second recess portion 862, which is opened toward the film 72 by the first wall portion 852, the first connection portion 853, and the second wall portion 854, is provided in a continuous annular shape in a circumferential direction thereof. Further, around the second recess portion 862, a third recess portion 863, which is opened toward the lid member 81 by the second wall portion 854, the second connection portion 855, and the fixed portion 84, is provided in a continuous annular shape in a circumferential direction thereof. The first recess portion 861, the second recess portion 862, and the third recess portion 863 are provided at positions not overlapping with each other when viewed from the Z direction in plan view, and a bellows is formed by the recess portions. That is, in the present embodiment, the first wall portion 852, the first connection portion 853, and the second wall portion 854 of the flexible portion 85 form the protrusion portion 850, which becomes the projection toward the lid member 81 and becomes the recess toward the film 72 (the second recess portion 862). In addition, when the projection is not formed toward the lid member 81 and the recess is not formed toward the film 72, it cannot be said that the protrusion portion of the flexible membrane is formed. In other words, even when the projection of the flexible membrane is formed toward the lid member 81 by changing a thickness of a part of the plate-shaped flexible membrane, in a case where a flat surface is formed toward the film 72, it cannot be said that the protrusion portion is formed. Similarly, in a case where a groove as the recess is formed toward the film 72 of the flexible membrane and a flat surface is formed toward the lid member 81, it cannot be said that the protrusion portion is formed.
In addition, in the present embodiment, opposing inner wall surfaces of the second recess portion 862 are disposed with a distance therebetween without being in contact with each other, the second recess portion 862 being recessed toward the film 72 by the protrusion portion 850. That is, the first wall portion 852 and the second wall portion 854 are disposed with a predetermined distance therebetween without being in contact with each other. In the present embodiment, similar to the second recess portion 862, opposing inner wall surfaces of each of the first recess portion 861 and the third recess portion 863 are disposed with a predetermined distance therebetween without being in contact with each other.
As illustrated in
Here, when the flexible membrane 83 is deformed by the pressurization operation of the pressure adjustment mechanism 18, as illustrated in
That is, in the present embodiment, since only the contact portion 851 of the flexible portion 85 is brought into contact with the film 72 so as to open the opening/closing valve B[1], an area of a front end of the flexible portion 85 that presses the film 72 is smaller than an area of a rear end of the flexible portion 85 that receives the supply pressure. In this manner, the area of the rear end surface of the flexible portion 85 that receives the supply pressure and is positioned toward the degassing path 75 is increased. Thus, it possible to easily receive the pressure from the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 by the relatively large area. Further, by reducing the area of the contact portion 851 of the flexible portion 85 that is brought into contact with the film 72, it possible to reduce repulsion according to the pressure of the ink in the space R2 that presses the film 72. For example, in a case where a ratio of the area of the contact portion 851 of the flexible portion 85 that is brought into contact with the film 72 to the area of the rear end surface of the flexible portion 85 is 1:5, when it is assumed that a pressure of the air by the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 is Pa (Pa), that a pressure of the ink is Pi (Pa), that a spring force is Fs (N), that a reaction force of the film 72 is F (N), that a pressure receiving area of the rear end surface of the flexible portion 85 is A (m2), that a pressure receiving area of the contact portion 851 of the flexible portion 85 that receives the pressure from the film 72 is Af (m2) (=1/5·A), and that a rubber reaction force of the flexible portion 85 is Fg (N), a required condition for opening the opening/closing valve B[1] is represented by Pa·A−Fg>Pi(1/5·A)+Fs+F, that is, Pa>(1/5)Pi+(Fs+F+Fg)/A. As represented by this expression, in a case where the contact portion 851 according to the present embodiment is provided, the pressure Pa of the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 that is required for opening the opening/closing valve B[1] can be set to reduce an influence on the pressure Pi of the ink in the space R2 partitioned by the film 72 to 1/5. Therefore, a repulsion force of the contact portion 851 by the film 72 decreases, and thus, even when the pressure of the degassing path 75 by the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 is low, the deformation of the flexible portion 85 can be maintained. As a result, it is unnecessary that the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 supplies a high pressure to the degassing path 75, and a time until the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 pressurizes the degassing path 75 at a high pressure is unnecessary. Therefore, it is possible to shorten a time required for the pressurization operation and improve durability of the pressure adjustment mechanism 18. In addition, as the pressure adjustment mechanism 18, a device capable of outputting a high pressure is unnecessary, and thus it is possible to reduce a size and a cost of the pressure adjustment mechanism 18. Further, the pressure of the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 that is required for opening the opening/closing valve B[1] has little influence on a change in the pressure of the ink in the space R2, and thus it is possible to simplify a design of the pressure adjustment mechanism 18.
As illustrated in
In addition, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in
In the present embodiment, similarly, opposing inner wall surfaces of the first recess portion 861 are also disposed with a predetermined distance therebetween without being in contact with each other. That is, the inner wall surfaces of the first wall portions 852 provided on both sides of the contact portion 851 in the X direction and the Y direction are disposed with a predetermined distance therebetween without being in contact with each other. Thereby, in the pressurization operation, it is possible to secure a space of the flexible membrane 83 when the second wall portion 854 extending in the negative Z direction from the second connection portion 855 is deformed so as to be bent in the positive Z direction, and thus the deformation of the flexible membrane 83 can be easily performed.
In addition, in the present embodiment, similarly, opposing inner wall surfaces of the third recess portion 863 are also disposed with a predetermined distance therebetween without being in contact with each other.
In this manner, in order to configure each of the first recess portion 861 and the second recess portion 862 such that the opposing inner wall surfaces of each of the recess portions are disposed with a distance therebetween without being in contact with each other, for example, in a state before interposing and fixing the flexible membrane 83 between the lid member 81 and the spacer 82, the sum of a volume of the second recess portion 862 (a section thereof is illustrated by S1 in
In addition, in the flexible membrane 83 according to the present embodiment, the root of the flexible portion 85, that is, the center of the end portion of the second connection portion 855 connected to the fixed portion 84 is provided to be closer to the opening/closing valve B[1] than the center of the end portion of the fixed portion 84 toward the second connection portion 855 is. In this manner, the center of the root of the flexible portion 85 is provided to be closer to the opening/closing valve B[1] than the center of the fixed portion 84 is, and thus a distance between the flexible portion 85 and the opening/closing valve B[1] in the Z direction can be shortened. Therefore, it is possible to reliably operate the opening/closing valve B[1] by the flexible portion 85. As described above, in a case where the flexible membrane 83 is interposed and fixed between the lid member 81 and the spacer 82, the fixed portion 84 is elongated by interposing the flexible membrane 83. At this time, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
As described above, when the flexible membrane 83 is deformed according to the pressurization by the pressure adjustment mechanism 18, the film 72 is displaced toward the valve seat 721 according to the pressurization by the flexible membrane 83. Therefore, the valve body 722 is moved according to the pressurization by the pressure receiving plate 723, and thus the opening/closing valve B[1] is opened. In other words, regardless of the level of the pressure in the space R2, it is possible to forcibly open the opening/closing valve B[1] according to the pressurization by the pressure adjustment mechanism 18. That is, the film 72 moves according to a pressure difference between the first pressure in the space R2 as the storage chamber and the second pressure in the control chamber RC, and moves according to the pressing by the flexible membrane 83.
In the present embodiment, the flexible membrane 83 is deformed according to the pressurization by the pressure adjustment mechanism 18, and the film 72 is deformed by the flexible membrane 83. Therefore, the flexible membrane 83 can easily receive the pressure from the pressure adjustment mechanism 18, and thus the flexible membrane 83 can be operated even when the pressure by the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 is relatively low.
In a case where the film 72 is directly pressed by pressurizing the air in the control chamber RC without providing the flexible membrane 83, unless the pressure in the control chamber RC is larger than the pressure of the ink in the space R2, the valve body 722 cannot be pressed by the film 72. When the pressure of the ink in the space R2 changes, a required change in the pressure of the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 also increases, and as a result, it becomes difficult to design the pressure adjustment mechanism 18. Here, when it is assumed that the pressure of the air by the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 is Pa (Pa), that the pressure of the ink is Pi (Pa), that the spring force is Fs (N), that the reaction force of the film 72 is F (N), and that the pressure receiving area of the film 72 is A (m2), a required condition for opening the opening/closing valve B[1] is represented by Pa·A>Pi×A+Fs+F, that is, Pa>Pi+(Fs+F)/A. As represented by this expression, in order to directly deform the film 72 by the pressure of the pressure adjustment mechanism 18, it is necessary to set the pressure Pa of the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 to be higher than the pressure Pi of the ink.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the flexible membrane 83 including the protrusion portion 850 is provided, and thus the area of the flexible membrane 83 toward the space R3 that receives the supply pressure from the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 can be enlarged. Therefore, the flexible membrane 83 can be operated with a relatively low pressure. Accordingly, it is unnecessary that the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 supplies a high pressure to the degassing path 75 and the space R3, and thus a time for which the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 pressurizes the degassing path 75 and the space R3 until the supply pressure from the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 reaches a high pressure is unnecessary. Therefore, it is possible to shorten a time required for the pressurization operation and improve durability of the pressure adjustment mechanism 18. In addition, as the pressure adjustment mechanism 18, a device capable of outputting a high pressure is unnecessary, and thus it is possible to reduce the size and the cost of the pressure adjustment mechanism 18.
On the other hand, as illustrated in
Specifically, the degassing flow path unit 42 according to the present embodiment includes a degassing space Q, a filter F[1], a vertical space RV, and a check valve 74. The degassing space Q is a space in which an air bubble extracted from the ink temporarily stays.
The filter F[1] is provided so as to cross the internal flow path for supplying the ink to the liquid ejecting portion 44, and collects air bubbles or foreign matters mixed into the ink. Specifically, the filter F[1] is provided so as to partition a space RF1 and a space RF2. The upstream space RF1 communicates with the space R2 of the flow path unit 41, and the downstream space RF2 communicates with the vertical space RV.
A gas-permeable film MC (an example of a second gas-permeable film) is interposed between the space RF1 and the degassing space Q. Specifically, a ceiling surface of the space RF1 is configured with the gas-permeable film MC. The gas-permeable film MC is a gas-permeable film body that transmits gas (air) and does not transmit a liquid such as ink (gas-liquid separation film), and is formed with, for example, a known polymer material. The air bubble collected by the filter F[1] rises by buoyancy and reaches the ceiling surface of the space RF1, passes through the gas-permeable film MC, and is discharged to the degassing space Q. In other words, the air bubble mixed into the ink is separated.
The vertical space RV is a space for temporarily storing the ink. In the vertical space RV according to the first embodiment, an inflow port Vin into which the ink passing through the filter F[1] flows from the space RF2, and outflow ports Vout through which the ink flows out toward the nozzles N are formed. In other words, the ink in the space RF2 flows into the vertical space RV via the inflow port VIin, and the ink in the vertical space RV flows into the liquid ejecting portion 44 (manifold SR) via the outflow ports Vout. As illustrated in
A gas-permeable film MA (an example of a first gas-permeable film) is interposed between the vertical space RV and the degassing space Q. Specifically, a ceiling surface of the vertical space RV is configured with the gas-permeable film MA. The gas-permeable film MA is a gas-permeable film body that is similar to the gas-permeable film MC described above. Accordingly, the air bubble, which passes through the filter F[1] and enters into the vertical space RV, rises by the buoyancy, passes through the gas-permeable film MA of the ceiling surface of the vertical space RV, and is discharged to the degassing space Q. As described above, the inflow port Vin is positioned at a position higher than the outflow ports Vout in the vertical direction, and thus the air bubble can effectively reach the gas-permeable film MA of the ceiling surface using the buoyancy in the vertical space RV.
In the manifold SR of the liquid ejecting portion 44, as described above, the inflow port Rin into which the ink supplied from the outflow port Vout of the vertical space RV flows is formed. In other words, the ink that flowed out from the outflow port Vout of the vertical space RV flows into the manifold SR via the inflow port Rin, and is supplied to each pressure chamber SC through the opening portion 481A. In the manifold SR according to the first embodiment, a discharge port Rout is formed. The discharge port Rout is a flow path that is formed on the ceiling surface 49 of the manifold SR. As illustrated in
A gas-permeable film MB (an example of a first gas-permeable film) is interposed between the manifold SR and the degassing space Q. The gas-permeable film MB is a gas-permeable film body that is similar to the gas-permeable film MA or the gas-permeable film MC. Therefore, the air bubble that is entered from the manifold SR to the discharge port Rout rises by the buoyancy, passes through the gas-permeable film MB, and is discharged to the degassing space Q. As described above, the air bubble in the manifold SR is guided to the discharge port Rout along the ceiling surface 49, and thus it is possible to effectively discharge the air bubble in the manifold SR, compared to a configuration in which, for example, the ceiling surface 49 of the manifold SR is a horizontal plane. The gas-permeable film MA, the gas-permeable film MB, and the gas-permeable film MC may be formed with a single film body.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the gas-permeable film MA is interposed between the vertical space RV and the degassing space Q, the gas-permeable film MB is interposed between the manifold SR and the degassing space Q, and the gas-permeable film MC is interposed between the space RF1 and the degassing space Q. In other words, the air bubbles, which pass through each of the gas-permeable film MA, the gas-permeable film MB, and the gas-permeable film MC, reach the common degassing space Q. Therefore, there is an advantage in that a structure for discharging the air bubbles is simplified, compared to a configuration in which the air bubbles extracted in each unit of the liquid ejecting unit 40 are supplied to each individual space.
As illustrated in
The degassing path 75 according to the present embodiment is connected to the path for coupling the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 and the control chamber RC of the flow path unit 41. In other words, the path connected to the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 is branched into two systems, and one of the two systems is connected to the control chamber RC and the other of the two systems is connected to the degassing path 75.
As illustrated in
An end portion of the discharge path 76 that is opposite to the liquid ejecting unit 40 is connected to a closing valve 78. A position at which the closing valve 78 is provided is arbitrary. In
An operation of the liquid ejecting unit 40 will be described focusing on the discharge of the air bubble from the internal flow path. As illustrated in
In the above state, the liquid pressure feed mechanism 16 pressure-feeds the ink stored in the liquid container 14 to the internal flow path of the liquid ejecting unit 40. Specifically, the ink that is pressure-fed from the liquid pressure feed mechanism 16 is supplied to the vertical space RV via the opening/closing valve B[1] in the open state, and is supplied from the vertical space RV to the manifold SR and each pressure chamber SC. As described above, since the closing valve 78 is opened, the air that is present in the internal flow path before the execution of the initial filling passes through the discharge path 76 and the closing valve 78, and is discharged to the outside of the apparatus, at the same timing of filling the internal flow path and the discharge path 76 with the ink. Therefore, the entire internal flow path including the manifold SR and each pressure chamber SC of the liquid ejecting unit 40 is filled with the ink, and thus the nozzles N can eject the ink by the operation of the piezoelectric actuator 484. As described above, in the first embodiment, the closing valve 78 is opened when the ink is pressure-fed from the liquid pressure feed mechanism 16 to the liquid ejecting unit 40, and thus it is possible to efficiently fill the internal flow path of the liquid ejecting unit 40 with the ink. When the initial filling described above is completed, the pressurization operation by the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 is stopped, and the closing valve 78 is closed.
As illustrated in
In the operation state illustrated in
When the degassing path 75 is depressurized, the valve body 742 of the check valve 74 is separated from the valve seat 741 against the energization by the spring 743, and the degassing space Q and the degassing path 75 communicate with each other via the communication hole HB (refer to
As described above, in the present embodiment, the flexible membrane mechanism 80, which is used for the valve mechanism 70, includes the lid member 81, the flexible membrane 83 that forms the space R3 between the flexible membrane 83 and the lid member 81, and the degassing path 75 that is a fluid flow path communicating with the space R3. The flexible membrane 83 includes the protrusion portion 850 that becomes the projection toward the lid member 81 and becomes the recess (second recess portion 862) toward the opposite side of the projection. The opening/closing valve B[1] of the valve mechanism 70 is opened and closed by the deformation of the flexible membrane 83. In this manner, the protrusion portion 850 is provided on the flexible membrane 83, and thus, in the flexible membrane 83, the area by which the pressure from the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 is received via the degassing path 75 as a fluid flow path, is increased. Therefore, the flexible membrane 83 can be operated by a relatively low pressure. In particular, the protrusion portion 850 which is the recess/projection of the flexible membrane 83 can be deformed so as to be widened, and thus the flexible membrane 83 can be deformed by a relatively low pressure, compared to a case where the flexible membrane 83 is deformed and elongated by making the thickness of the flexible membrane 83 thin. Thus, it is possible to operate the opening/closing valve B[1] by the flexible membrane 83. Therefore, a relatively high pressure is not required as the supply pressure, and thus a time for which the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 pressurizes the degassing path 75 and the space R3 until the supply pressure reaches a high pressure is unnecessary. Accordingly, it is possible to shorten a time required for the pressurization operation and improve durability of the pressure adjustment mechanism 18.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the flexible membrane 83 includes the fixed portion 84 that is fixed at the outside of the space R3 and the flexible portion 85 that is extended from the fixed portion 84 into the space R3. The length L2 from the root of the flexible portion 85 toward the fixed portion 84 to the contact position between the flexible portion 85 and the opening/closing valve B[1] of the valve mechanism 70 is longer than the shortest distance L1 from the root of the flexible portion 85 of the flexible membrane 83 toward the fixed portion 84 to the position at which the flexible portion 85 is brought into contact with the opening/closing valve B[1]. In the present embodiment, the length from the fixed portion 84 to the contact portion 851 of the flexible portion 85, that is, the total length L2 of the first wall portion 852, the first connection portion 853, the second wall portion 854, and the second connection portion 855, is set to be longer than the shortest distance L1. In this manner, the length L2 from the root of the flexible portion 85 toward the fixed portion 84 to the contact position between the flexible portion 85 and the opening/closing valve B[1] of the valve mechanism 70 is longer than the shortest distance L1, and thus, when the protrusion portion 850 of the flexible portion 85 of the flexible membrane 83 is deformed so as to be widened, the opening/closing valve B[1] can be reliably pressed and operated by the flexible portion 85. In addition, the opening/closing valve B[1] can be operated only by deforming the protrusion portion 850 of the flexible portion 85 so as to be widened, and thus the opening/closing valve B[1] can be operated by a low pressure, compared to a case where the flexible portion 85 is elongated by making the thickness of the flexible portion 85 thin. The length L2 of the flexible membrane 83 may be shorter than the shortest distance L1. On the other hand, in order to operate the opening/closing valve B[1] by deforming the flexible membrane 83, it is necessary to deform the protrusion portion 850 so as to be widened and to deform the flexible membrane 83 so as to be elongated, and this results in an increase in operation pressure. Here, even in a case where the length L2 of the flexible membrane 83 is shorter than the shortest distance L1, the flexible membrane 83 can be elastically deformed by a low pressure compared to a case where a flat plate-shaped flexible membrane is used.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the flexible membrane 83 is interposed and fixed between the lid member 81 and the spacer 82 which is a member provided on a surface of the lid member 81 toward the flexible membrane 83, and the opposing inner wall surfaces of the second recess portion 862 which is a recess of the flexible membrane 83 are disposed with a distance therebetween without being in contact with each other. Therefore, when the protrusion portion 850 of the flexible membrane 83 is deformed so as to be widened, the inner wall surfaces of the second recess portion 862 can be prevented from contacting with each other. Thus, a hindrance of the deformation of the flexible membrane 83 can be prevented, and thereby the flexible membrane 83 can be deformed by a relatively low pressure.
The opposing inner wall surfaces of the second recess portion 862 may be brought into contact with each other. On the other hand, in order to deform the flexible membrane 83, a relatively high pressure is required, compared to a case where the opposing inner wall surfaces of the second recess portion 862 are not brought into contact with each other.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the flexible membrane 83 includes the fixed portions 84 and the flexible portion 85, the fixed portion 84 being interposed and fixed between the lid member 81 outside the space R3 and the spacer 82 which is a member provided on the surface of the lid member 81 toward the flexible membrane 83, and the flexible portion 85 being extended from the fixed portion 84 into the space R3. In the Z direction in which the fixed portion 84 of the flexible membrane 83 is interposed, the center C1 of the end portion of the flexible portion 85 toward the fixed portion 84 is set to be closer to the opening/closing valve B[1] than the center C2 of the end portion of the fixed portion 84 toward the flexible portion 85 is. Thereby, the fixed portion 84 is elongated by interposing and fixing the fixed portion 84, and thus the flexible portion 85 can be prevented from being deformed so as to protrude toward the lid member 81. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an increase in distance between the flexible portion 85 and the opening/closing valve B[1]. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably operate the opening/closing valve B[1] by the flexible membrane 83, and to reduce the size of the flexible membrane mechanism 80 in the Z direction.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the flexible membrane mechanism 80 includes the spacer 82 for maintaining a constant distance between the film 72 of the valve mechanism 70 and the flexible membrane 83, the spacer 82 being provided with the space R2 which is a chamber communicating with the opening/closing valve B[1] and the film 72 which defines a part of the space R2 and is deformed such that the opening/closing valve B[1] is opened or closed. In this manner, a constant distance is maintained between the film 72 and the flexible membrane 83 by the spacer 82. Thus, in a state where the flexible membrane 83 is not operated, a hindrance of the function of the film 72 by the flexible membrane 83 can be prevented. In addition, when the flexible membrane 83 is deformed, the film 72 can be reliably pressed.
In the present embodiment, although the spacer 82 is provided in the flexible membrane mechanism 80, the spacer 82 may be provided in the valve mechanism 70. In addition, the spacer 82 may be provided integrally with the valve mechanism housing 71 and the lid member 81.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 is commonly used in the opening/closing of the opening/closing valve B[1] and the opening/closing of the check valve 74, and thus it is possible to simplify the configuration for controlling the opening/closing valve B[1] and the check valve 74, compared to a configuration in which the opening/closing valve B[1] and the check valve 74 are controlled by each individual mechanism.
Further, in the present embodiment, the pressure receiving plate 723 is provided on the film 72. Therefore, when the flexible membrane 83 presses the film 72, it is possible to prevent deformation of the film 72 such as extension or tear of the film 72. In addition, the pressure receiving plate 723 is provided on the valve body 722 side, and thus it is possible to prevent the valve body 722 from being brought into direct contact with the film 72, thereby preventing deformation and breakage of the film 72 due to contact between the film 72 and the valve body 722. The pressure receiving plate 723 may not be provided.
Further, the liquid ejecting unit 40 according to the present embodiment includes the flow path unit 41 as the flow path structure, and the liquid ejecting portion 44 that changes the first pressure by ejecting the ink in the space R2 as the storage chamber. Even though the ink in the space R2 is consumed by ejection of the ink in the space R2 by the liquid ejecting portion 44, the film 72 operates based on the pressure in the space R2, and thus it is possible to supply the ink from the space R1 into the space R2 by opening the opening/closing valve B[1]. Accordingly, it is possible to supply the ink to the liquid ejecting portion 44 with a constant pressure.
As illustrated in
In the depressurization operation, the flexible portion 85 includes a contact portion 851, a first wall portion 852, a first connection portion 853, a second wall portion 854, and a second connection portion 855. The contact portion 851, the first wall portion 852, the first connection portion 853, the second wall portion 854, and the second connection portion 855 that constitute the flexible portion 85 have substantially the same thickness, and the fixed portion 84 is thicker than the flexible portion 85.
Similar to the first embodiment described above, the contact portion 851 extends along a plane direction including the X direction and the Y direction.
The first wall portion 852 is provided in a continuous annular shape around the contact portion 851. The first wall portion 852 is erectly provided to be closer to the film 72 than the contact portion 851 is. Specifically, one end of the first wall portion 852 is connected to the contact portion 851, and the other end of the first wall portion 852 is extended along the Z direction so as to be closer to the film 72 than the contact portion 851 is.
The first connection portion 853 is provided in a continuous annular shape around the first wall portion 852. One end of the first connection portion 853 is connected to the other end of the first wall portion 852 that is positioned toward the film 72, and the other end of the first connection portion 853 is extended along the X direction and the Y direction so as to be positioned outside the first wall portion 852.
The second wall portion 854 is provided in a continuous annular shape around the first connection portion 853. The second wall portion 854 is erectly provided to be closer to the opposite side of the film 72, that is, to be closer to the lid member 81 than the first connection portion 853 is. Specifically, one end of the second wall portion 854 is connected to the first connection portion 853, and the other end of the second wall portion 854 is extended along the Z direction so as to be positioned at a position closer to the lid member 81 than the first connection portion 853 is and closer to the film 72 than the contact portion 851 is.
The second connection portion 855 is provided in a continuous annular shape around the second wall portion 854. One end of the second connection portion 855 is connected to the other end of the second wall portion 854, and the other end of the second connection portion 855 is extended along the X direction as a first direction and the Y direction as a second direction so as to be positioned outside the second wall portion 854. In addition, the other end of the second connection portion 855, which is opposite to one end of the second connection portion 855 connected to the second wall portion 854, is connected to the fixed portion 84. That is, the second connection portion 855 connects the fixed portion 84 and the second wall portion 854. In the flexible membrane 83, in the Z direction in which the fixed portion 84 is interposed between the lid member 81 and the spacer 82, a root of the flexible portion 85 toward the fixed portion 84, that is, the center C1 of the end portion of the second connection portion 855 toward the fixed portion 84, is provided at a position closer to the opening/closing valve B[1] than the center C2 of the end portion of the fixed portion 84 toward the flexible portion 85 is.
In this manner, a bellows is formed around the contact portion 851 by the first wall portion 852, the first connection portion 853, the second wall portion 854, and the second connection portion 855, which have the same center and have an annular shape. That is, on the flexible portion 85 according to the present embodiment, a first recess portion 861 which is opened toward the film 72 is provided by the contact portion 851 and the first wall portion 852 provided around the contact portion 851. In addition, around the first recess portion 861, a second recess portion 862, which is opened toward the lid member 81 by the first wall portion 852, the first connection portion 853, and the second wall portion 854, is provided in a continuous annular shape in a circumferential direction thereof. Further, around the second recess portion 862, a third recess portion 863, which is opened toward the film 72 by the second wall portion 854, the second connection portion 855, and the fixed portion 84, is provided in a continuous annular shape in a circumferential direction thereof. The first recess portion 861, the second recess portion 862, and the third recess portion 863 are provided at positions not overlapping with each other when viewed from the Z direction in plan view, and a bellows is formed by the recess portions. That is, in the present embodiment, the contact portion 851 and the first wall portion 852 of the flexible portion 85 form the protrusion portion 850, which becomes the projection toward the lid member 81 and becomes the recess toward the film 72 (the second recess portion 862).
In addition, in the present embodiment, opposing inner wall surfaces of the first recess portion 861 are disposed with a distance therebetween without being in contact with each other, the first recess portion 861 being recessed toward the film 72 by the protrusion portion 850. That is, the inner wall surfaces of the first wall portions 852 provided on both sides of the contact portion 851 in a direction including the X direction and the Y direction are disposed with a predetermined distance therebetween without being in contact with each other. In the present embodiment, similar to the first recess portion 861, opposing inner wall surfaces of each of the second recess portion 862 and the third recess portion 863 are disposed with a predetermined space therebetween without being in contact with each other. In order to make the first recess portion 861 such that the opposing inner wall surfaces thereof are disposed with a distance therebetween without being in contact with each other as described above, similar to the first embodiment described above, the sum of the volume of the second recess portion 862 (a section thereof is illustrated by S1) and the volume of the third recess portion 863 (a section thereof is illustrated by S2) may be set to be equal to or larger than half of the excluded volume S3 excluded when fixing the fixed portion 84.
Further, in the flexible membrane 83, a length L3 from the root of the flexible portion 85 toward the fixed portion 84 to the contact position between the flexible portion 85 and the opening/closing valve B[1], in the present embodiment, the total length L3 of the first wall portion 852, the first connection portion 853, the second wall portion 854, and the second connection portion 855, is longer than the shortest distance L1 between the root of the flexible portion 85 of the flexible membrane 83 and the opening/closing valve B[1].
When the flexible membrane 83 is pressurized by the pressurization operation of the pressure adjustment mechanism 18, as illustrated in
Even in the flexible membrane 83, similar to the first embodiment described above, the area by which the flexible membrane 83 receives the pressure from the degassing path 75 as a fluid flow path, is increased. Therefore, the flexible membrane 83 can be operated by a relatively low pressure.
In addition, the length L3 from the root of the flexible portion 85 toward the fixed portion 84 to the contact position between the flexible portion 85 and the opening/closing valve B[1] of the valve mechanism 70 is longer than the shortest distance L1, and thus, when the protrusion portion 850 of the flexible portion 85 of the flexible membrane 83 is deformed so as to be widened, the opening/closing valve B[1] can be reliably pressed and operated by the flexible portion 85.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the flexible membrane 83 is interposed and fixed between the lid member 81 and the spacer 82, and the opposing inner wall surfaces of the first recess portion 861 which is a recess of the flexible membrane 83 are disposed with a distance therebetween without being in contact with each other. Thus, a hindrance of the deformation of the flexible membrane 83 can be prevented.
In addition, as illustrated in
In this embodiment, the contact portion 851 is positioned at a position closer to the lid member 81, that is, in the negative Z direction, than the second connection portion 855 is, and the position of the contact portion 851 is not particularly limited thereto. Here, a modification example of the flexible membrane is illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In the depressurization operation, the flexible portion 85 includes a contact portion 851, a first wall portion 852, and a first connection portion 853. That is, the flexible portion 85 according to the present embodiment is not provided with the second wall portion 854 and the second connection portion 855. The contact portion 851, the first wall portion 852, and the first connection portion 853 that constitute the flexible portion 85 have substantially the same thickness, and the fixed portion 84 is thicker than the flexible portion 85. In addition, since the contact portion 851, the first wall portion 852, and the first connection portion 853 that constitute the flexible portion 85 are similar to those of the second embodiment described above, a repeated description thereof will be omitted.
In the flexible membrane 83, a bellows is formed around the contact portion 851 by the first wall portion 852 and the first connection portion 853, which have the same center and have an annular shape. That is, on the flexible portion 85 according to the present embodiment, a first recess portion 861 which is opened toward the film 72 is provided by the contact portion 851 and the first wall portion 852 provided around the contact portion 851. In addition, around the first recess portion 861, a second recess portion 862, which is opened toward the lid member 81 by the first wall portion 852, the first connection portion 853, and the fixed portion 84, is provided in a continuous annular shape in a circumferential direction thereof. The first recess portion 861 and the second recess portion 862 are provided at positions not overlapping with each other when viewed from the Z direction in plan view, and a bellows is formed by the recess portions. That is, in the present embodiment, the contact portion 851 and the first wall portion 852 of the flexible portion 85 form the protrusion portion 850, which becomes the projection toward the lid member 81 and becomes the recess toward the film 72 (the second recess portion 862).
In addition, in the present embodiment, opposing inner wall surfaces of the first recess portion 861 are disposed with a distance therebetween without being in contact with each other, the first recess portion 861 being recessed toward the film 72 by the protrusion portion 850. That is, the inner wall surfaces of the first wall portion 852 provided on both sides of the contact portion 851 in a direction including the X direction and the Y direction are disposed with a predetermined distance therebetween without being in contact with each other. In the present embodiment, similar to the first recess portion 861, opposing inner wall surfaces of the second recess portion 862 are disposed with a predetermined space therebetween without being in contact with each other.
Further, in the flexible membrane 83, a length L5 from the root of the flexible portion 85 toward the fixed portion 84 to the contact position between the flexible portion 85 and the opening/closing valve B[1], in the present embodiment, the total length L5 of the first wall portion 852 and the first connection portion 853, is longer than the shortest distance L1 between the root of the flexible portion 85 of the flexible membrane 83 and the opening/closing valve B[1].
When the flexible membrane 83 is pressurized by the pressurization operation of the pressure adjustment mechanism 18, as illustrated in
Even in the flexible membrane 83 with such a configuration, similar to the embodiments described above, the area by which the flexible membrane 83 receives the pressure from the degassing path 75 as a fluid flow path, is increased. Therefore, the flexible membrane 83 can be operated by a relatively low pressure.
In addition, the length L5 from the root of the flexible portion 85 toward the fixed portion 84 to the contact position between the flexible portion 85 and the opening/closing valve B[1] of the valve mechanism 70 is longer than the shortest distance L1, and thus, when the protrusion portion 850 of the flexible portion 85 of the flexible membrane 83 is deformed so as to be widened, the opening/closing valve B[1] can be reliably pressed and operated by the flexible portion 85.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the flexible membrane 83 is interposed and fixed between the lid member 81 and the spacer 82, and the opposing inner wall surfaces of the first recess portion 861 which is a recess of the flexible membrane 83 are disposed with a distance therebetween without being in contact with each other. Thus, a hindrance of the deformation of the flexible membrane 83 can be prevented.
In addition, the center C1 of the end portion of the flexible portion 85 toward the fixed portion 84 is positioned at a position closer to the opening/closing valve B[1] than the center C2 of the end portion of the fixed portion 84 toward the flexible portion 85 is. Thus, the fixed portion 84 is elongated by interposing and fixing the fixed portion 84. Therefore, the flexible portion 85 can be prevented from being deformed so as to protrude toward the lid member 81, and thus it is possible to prevent an increase in distance between the flexible portion 85 and the opening/closing valve B[1].
As illustrated in
In the depressurization operation, the flexible portion 85 includes a contact portion 851, a third wall portion 856A, a fourth wall portion 856B, a third connection portion 857, a fifth wall portion 858, and a fourth connection portion 859. The contact portion 851, the third wall portion 856A, the fourth wall portion 856B, the third connection portion 857, the fifth wall portion 858, and the fourth connection portion 859 that constitute the flexible portion 85 have substantially the same thickness, and the fixed portion 84 is thicker than the flexible portion 85.
The third wall portion 856A is erectly provided to be extended from the contact portion 851 toward the lid member 81 at a side of the contact portion 851 in the positive X direction.
The fourth wall portion 856B is erectly provided to be extended from the contact portion 851 toward the lid member 81 at a side of the contact portion 851 in the negative X direction. The fourth wall portion 856B is longer than the third wall portion 856A in the Z direction. An end portion of the third wall portion 856A and an end portion of the fourth wall portion 856B may be continuous or discontinuous in the Y direction.
One end of the third connection portion 857 is connected to the other end portion of the fourth wall portion 856B that is positioned toward the lid member 81, and the other end of the third connection portion 857 is extended from the fourth wall portion 856B in the negative X direction.
The fifth wall portion 858 is erectly provided to be closer to the film 72 than the third connection portion 857 is.
The fourth connection portion 859 is provided continuously so as to connect the end portion of the third wall portion 856A and the fixed portion 84 and to connect the end portion of the fifth wall portion 858 and the fixed portion 84, around the third wall portion 856A, the fourth wall portion 856B, the third connection portion 857, and the fifth wall portion 858.
In this manner, a bellows is formed on the flexible membrane 83 by the third wall portion 856A, the fourth wall portion 856B, the third connection portion 857, and the fifth wall portion 858. That is, the first recess portion 861 which is opened toward the lid member 81 is provided on the flexible portion 85 according to the present embodiment by the contact portion 851, the third wall portion 856A, and the fourth wall portion 856B. In addition, the second recess portion 862 is provided on the flexible portion 85 by the fourth wall portion 856B, the third connection portion 857, and the fifth wall portion 858, at a side of the first recess portion 861 in the negative X direction. Further, the third recess portion 863 which is opened toward the film 72 by the third wall portion 856A, the fourth connection portion 859, and the fixed portion 84, is provided on the flexible portion 85. In addition, the fourth recess portion 864 which is opened toward the lid member 81 by the fifth wall portion 858, the fourth connection portion 859, and the fixed portion 84, is provided on the flexible portion 85. The first recess portion 861, the second recess portion 862, the third recess portion 863, and the fourth recess portion 864 are provided at positions not overlapping with each other when viewed from the Z direction in plan view, and a bellows is formed by the recess portions. That is, in the present embodiment, the fourth wall portion 856B, the third connection portion 857, and the fifth wall portion 858 of the flexible portion 85 form the protrusion portion 850, which becomes a projection toward the lid member 81 and becomes a recess toward the film 72 (the second recess portion 862).
In addition, in the present embodiment, opposing inner wall surfaces of the second recess portion 862 are disposed with a distance therebetween without being in contact with each other, the second recess portion 862 being recessed toward the film 72 by the protrusion portion 850. That is, the fourth wall portion 856B and the fifth wall portion 858 forming the second recess portion 862 are disposed with a predetermined distance therebetween without being in contact with each other. In the present embodiment, similar to the second recess portion 862, opposing inner wall surfaces of each of the first recess portion 861, the third recess portion 863, and the fourth recess portion 864 are disposed with a predetermined distance therebetween without being in contact with each other.
Further, in the flexible membrane 83, a length L6 from the root of the flexible portion 85 toward the fixed portion 84 to a contact position between the flexible portion 85 and the opening/closing valve B[1], is longer than the shortest distance L1 between the root of the flexible portion 85 of the flexible membrane 83 and the opening/closing valve B[1]. In the present embodiment, the flexible portion 85 is provided such that the length L6 in the negative X direction from the contact portion 851 to the fixed portion 84 is the same as the length L6 in the positive X direction from the contact portion 851 to the fixed portion 84. Therefore, when the flexible portion 85 is deformed, the contact portion 851 can be moved on the center in the X direction.
When the flexible membrane 83 is pressurized by the pressurization operation of the pressure adjustment mechanism 18, as illustrated in
Even in the flexible membrane 83 with such a configuration, similar to the embodiments described above, the area by which the flexible membrane 83 receives the pressure from the degassing path 75 as a fluid flow path, is increased. Therefore, the flexible membrane 83 can be operated by a relatively low pressure.
In addition, the length L6 from the root of the flexible portion 85 toward the fixed portion 84 to the contact position between the flexible portion 85 and the opening/closing valve B[1] of the valve mechanism 70 is longer than the shortest distance L1, and thus, when the protrusion portion 850 of the flexible portion 85 of the flexible membrane 83 is deformed so as to be widened, the opening/closing valve B[1] can be reliably pressed and operated by the flexible portion 85.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the flexible membrane 83 is interposed and fixed between the lid member 81 and the spacer 82, and the opposing inner wall surfaces of the first recess portion 861 which is a recess of the flexible membrane 83 are disposed with a distance therebetween without being in contact with each other. Thus, a hindrance of the deformation of the flexible membrane 83 can be prevented.
In addition, the center C1 of the end portion of the flexible portion 85 toward the fixed portion 84 is positioned at a position closer to the opening/closing valve B[1] than the center C2 of the end portion of the fixed portion 84 toward the flexible portion 85 is. Thus, the fixed portion 84 is elongated by interposing and fixing the fixed portion 84. Therefore, the flexible portion 85 can be prevented from being deformed so as to protrude toward the lid member 81, and thus it is possible to prevent an increase in distance between the flexible portion 85 and the opening/closing valve B[1].
As illustrated in
In the depressurization operation, the flexible portion 85 is provided in a curved shape so as to protrude toward the control chamber RC. That is, the first recess portion 861 which is opened toward the film 72 is provided on the flexible membrane 83, the entire flexible portion 85 is the protrusion portion 850 that becomes a projection toward the lid member 81 and becomes a recess toward the opening/closing valve B[1] by provision of the first recess portion 861.
In addition, in the present embodiment, opposing inner wall surfaces of the first recess portion 861 of the flexible portion 85 are disposed with a distance therebetween without being in contact with each other, the first recess portion 861 being recessed toward the film 72.
In addition, in the flexible membrane 83, a length L7 from the root of the flexible portion 85 toward the fixed portion 84 to a contact position between the flexible portion 85 and the opening/closing valve B[1], is longer than the shortest distance L1 between the root of the flexible portion 85 of the flexible membrane 83 and the opening/closing valve B[1].
In addition, in the flexible membrane 83, in the Z direction in which the fixed portion 84 is interposed, the center C1 of the end portion of the flexible portion 85 toward the fixed portion 84 is provided at a position closer to the opening/closing valve B[1] than the center C2 of the end portion of the fixed portion 84 toward the flexible portion 85 is.
When the flexible membrane 83 is pressurized by the pressurization operation of the pressure adjustment mechanism 18, as illustrated in
Even in the flexible membrane 83 with such a configuration, similar to the embodiments described above, the area by which the flexible membrane 83 receives the pressure from the degassing path 75 as a fluid flow path, is increased. Therefore, the flexible membrane 83 can be operated by a relatively low pressure.
In addition, the length L7 from the root of the flexible portion 85 toward the fixed portion 84 to the contact position between the flexible portion 85 and the opening/closing valve B[1] of the valve mechanism 70 is longer than the shortest distance L1, and thus, when the protrusion portion 850 of the flexible portion 85 of the flexible membrane 83 is deformed so as to be widened, the opening/closing valve B[1] can be reliably pressed and operated by the flexible portion 85.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the flexible membrane 83 is interposed and fixed between the lid member 81 and the spacer 82, and the opposing inner wall surfaces of the first recess portion 861 which is a recess of the flexible membrane 83 are disposed with a distance therebetween without being in contact with each other. Thus, a hindrance of the deformation of the flexible membrane 83 can be prevented.
In addition, the center C1 of the end portion of the flexible portion 85 toward the fixed portion 84 is positioned at a position closer to the opening/closing valve B[1] than the center C2 of the end portion of the fixed portion 84 toward the flexible portion 85 is. Thus, the fixed portion 84 is elongated by interposing and fixing the fixed portion 84. Therefore, the flexible portion 85 can be prevented from being deformed so as to protrude toward the lid member 81, and thus it is possible to prevent an increase in distance between the flexible portion 85 and the opening/closing valve B[1].
Although the embodiments according to the invention are described above, the basic configuration of the invention is not limited thereto.
For example, in each embodiment described above, although the space R3 communicates with the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 via the degassing path 75, the space R3 may not communicate with the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 via the degassing path 75 in a case where the pressure in the space R3 can be adjusted. For example, in a state where the space R3 does not communicate with the degassing path 75, the pressure in the space R3 may be adjusted by a mechanism different from the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 via a fluid flow path other than the degassing path 75.
In addition, in each embodiment described above, although the space R3 is formed by covering the recess portion 811 of the lid member 81 with the flexible membrane 83, the recess portion 811 may not be provided in the lid member 81. For example, the space R3 may be formed by providing a recess portion on the flexible membrane 83 and covering the recess portion with the lid member 81.
In each embodiment described above, although the thickness of the flexible portion 85 is set to be substantially the same, the invention is not particularly limited thereto. The contact portion 851 of the flexible portion 85 that is brought into contact with the opening/closing valve B[1] may be thicker than other portions. In addition, a projection portion protruding toward the opening/closing valve B[l] may be provided on a part of the contact portion 851 that is brought into contact with the opening/closing valve B[1].
In addition, in each embodiment described above, although the first wall portion 852, the second wall portion 854, the third wall portion 856A, the fourth wall portion 856B, and the fifth wall portion 858 are provided along the Z direction, the invention is not particularly limited thereto. The portions may be provided along a direction inclined with respect to the Z direction. In addition, although the first connection portion 853, the second connection portion 855, the third connection portion 857, and the fourth connection portion 859 are provided along a plane direction including the X direction and the Y direction, the invention is not particularly limited thereto. The portions may be provided along a direction inclined with respect to either one or both of the X direction and the Y direction.
In the first to fifth embodiments described above, although the bellows is provided continuously around the contact portion 851, the invention is not particularly limited thereto. The bellows may be provided discontinuously. In
As illustrated in
In addition, as illustrated in
In addition, although the opening/closing valve B[1] according to each of the above-described embodiments is configured to be closed by energizing the valve body 722 by the energization of the spring 724, the invention is not particularly limited thereto, and the opening/closing valve B[1] may be configured to be closed by its own weight.
In each of the above-described embodiments, although the configuration in which the flow path provided with the opening/closing valve B[1] communicates with the space R2 is exemplified, the invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, a configuration in which, the flow path provided with the opening/closing valve B[1] communicates with the power source for pressure-feeding the liquid to the storage chamber, that is, the liquid pressure feed mechanism 16 without communicating with the space R2 as the storage chamber, in which the liquid pressure feed mechanism 16 operates to pressure-feed the ink to the space R2 as the storage chamber by opening the opening/closing valve B[1], and as a result, in which the first pressure on one side of the film 72 is increased may be used. In other words, the flow path that is opened and closed by the opening/closing valve B[1] may be a flow path for fluids other than ink, and the ink may flow by opening and closing of the opening/closing valve B[1].
The film 72 as the pressure receiving portion may be any movable element as long as the film 72 can be moved according to the balance between the first pressure and the second pressure, and the material of the film 72 may be, for example, a membrane, a metal thin plate, or the like. The shape of the film 72 may be a flat shape, may be a so-called bellows shape in which bending is repeated, or may be a bag-shaped body.
In each embodiment, although the film 72 partitions the space R2 and the control chamber RC, the invention is not particularly limited thereto, and the film 72 may be provided as a bag-shaped body inside the storage chamber.
Although the flexible membrane 83 is made of an elastic member such as rubber, the invention is not particularly limited thereto, and the flexible membrane 83 may be made of a flexible resin or a flexible metal.
In each embodiment described above, although the bubbles in the degassing space Q are removed by depressurizing the degassing space Q, the purpose for depressurizing is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the depressurized space may be used to collect the ink in the flow path together with the air bubble, by communicating with the flow path through which the ink passes via a one-way valve and opening the one-way valve at the time of depressurizing the space. In other words, the depressurized space may be used for the purpose of collecting the air bubble included in the ink. The depressurized space may also be used for another use other than the purpose of collecting the air bubble included in the ink. As another use, for example, by changing the volume of the damper chamber for absorbing the pressure change in the flow path due to the pressurization of the space, the characteristics of the damper chamber may be changed. Furthermore, the space may be used to remove the dust attached to the vicinity of the nozzles N by suction, by opening the space so as to face the nozzles N and depressurizing the space.
In a case where depressurization is used in order to remove the air bubble in the degassing space Q, at least a portion of the depressurized space is preferably formed by a sheet-shaped gas-permeable member (for example, a thin film of polyacetal, polypropylene, polyphenylene ether, or the like), or a rigid wall having a thickness enough to exhibit gas permeability (for example, a rigid wall obtained by forming the degassing flow path unit 42 including gas-permeable partitions with a plastic material such as POM (polyacetal), m-PPE (modified polyphenylene ether), or PP (polypropylene), or alloys of these materials, and typically making the thickness of the rigid wall to approximately 0.5 mm). Alternatively, in a case where the chamber that communicates with the chamber formed by the sheet-shaped member or the rigid wall via a valve corresponds to the depressurization space, the depressurization space may be formed by a thermosetting resin, metal, or the like. In a case where the space is used in order to remove the dust attached to the vicinity of the nozzles N by suction using the depressurization to the space, the space is preferably formed by a thermosetting resin, metal, or the like.
In each of the above-described embodiments, although air as the fluid from the pressure adjustment mechanism 18 as the fluid supply source is illustrated, the fluid is not particularly limited thereto. As the fluid, inert gas, liquid used for ink, liquid other than ink, or the like may be used.
In each of the above-described embodiments, although the piezoelectric actuator 484 is used as a pressure generating unit that causes a pressure change in the pressure chamber SC, as the piezoelectric actuator 484, for example, a thin film type piezoelectric element in which electrodes and a piezoelectric material are stacked and formed by film formation and lithography, a thick film type piezoelectric element formed by a method such as attaching of a green sheet, or a longitudinal vibration type piezoelectric element in which a piezoelectric material and an electrode forming material are alternately laminated and the laminated layers are extended in the axial direction may be used. As a pressure generating unit, an element in which a heating element is disposed in the pressure chamber SC and a droplet is discharged from the nozzle by bubbles generated by heat generation of the heating element, or an element in which static electricity is generated between the vibration plate and the electrode and a droplet is discharged from the nozzle by deforming the vibration plate by the electrostatic force may be used.
In the embodiments described above, although the configuration in which the liquid ejecting unit 40 includes the flow path unit 41 as the flow path structure is illustrated, the invention is not particularly limited thereto, and the liquid ejecting unit 40 may be provided with the flow path unit 41 as the flow path structure. That is, the flow path unit 41 and the place where the liquid ejecting unit 44 may be provided at different places from each other.
Further, in each embodiment described above, although the flexible membrane mechanism presses the opening/closing valve B[1] of the valve mechanism and thus the opening/closing valve B[1] is opened, the invention is not particularly limited thereto. In
As illustrated in
The opening/closing valve B[1] includes a valve seat 721, a valve body 722, a pressure receiving plate 723, and a spring 724. The valve seat 721 is a part of the valve mechanism housing 71, and is a flat plate-shaped portion that partitions the space R1 and the space R2. In the valve seat 721, a communication hole HA that allows the space R1 to communicate with the space R2 is formed. The pressure receiving plate 723 is a substantially circular-shaped flat plate member which is provided on a surface of the film 72 that faces the valve seat 721.
The valve body 722 includes a base portion 725, a first valve shaft 726, a sealing portion 727, and a second valve shaft 728. The base portion 725 is disposed in the space R2. In addition, the first valve shaft 726 is provided so as to protrude vertically from a front surface of the base portion 725 toward the positive Z direction. Further, the second valve shaft 728 is provided so as to protrude vertically from the front surface of the base portion 725 toward the pressure receiving plate 723. In the valve body 722, the first valve shaft 726 is inserted into a communication hole HA, and is energized toward the pressure receiving plate 723 by the spring 724.
The flexible membrane mechanism 80 similar to that of the first embodiment is provided on the valve mechanism 70 in the negative Z direction.
As illustrated in
The invention can be broadly applied to a liquid ejecting apparatus in general, and for example, be applied to a recording head such as various ink jet recording heads used in an image recording apparatus such as a printer, a color material ejecting head used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, an electrode material ejecting head used for forming an electrode such as an FED (field emission display), and a liquid ejecting apparatus using a bioorganic material ejecting head used for manufacturing a biochip.
In addition, in the first embodiment described above, although the flexible membrane mechanism 80 is provided in the liquid ejecting head, the invention is not particularly limited thereto. The flexible membrane mechanism 80 may be provided in a liquid ejecting apparatus other than the liquid ejecting head.
The invention can be broadly applied to a flow path member in general, and can be used for devices other than a liquid ejecting apparatus or a liquid ejecting head.
The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-53604, filed Mar. 17, 2017 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-053604 | Mar 2017 | JP | national |
